BAR HARBOR, MAINE

Starting in 2021, FBE teamed with Resilience Planning & Design to assist the Town of Bar Harbor with a comprehensive plan update. Bar Harbor is a vibrant coastal community well known for its proximity to Acadia National Park, where planning requires a delicate balance of meeting heavy seasonal tourism needs, natural resource protection, and meeting the needs of the year-round community. FBE performed an existing conditions analysis of Bar Harbor’s natural resources and existing land use, including water resources, wildlife habitat, agriculture and forestry, marine resources, and threats such as climate change. FBE and the consultant team worked with the Comprehensive Plan Committee to facilitate discussions and public feedback on key planning topics, including addressing land use, affordable housing, high property costs, and meeting the needs of visitors and local citizens. Outreach efforts engaged Town residents and stakeholders in envisioning a sustainable future for the Town. The final plan was completed at the end of 2022.